TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

All is well in love and war (2)

Aru took Mini's advice and grabbed herself some water before changing to go to Aiden's house.

She looked at herself in her bedroom mirror and judged the girl looking back at her. The girl in the mirror's eyes looked dry from sobbing, and her cheeks had turned red. Her lips were cracked from dryness and her hair was in a messy braid that looked like it needed a hairbrush.

Aru grabbed herself a slightly oversized electric blue hoodie with thunderbolts on the back and leggings. She took another look at herself in the mirror before going off to change.

Aru never really cared about her body, but right now, she was judging it too. Her stomach was protruding slightly, her hip dips annoyed her, and the stretch marks on her thighs seemed to become more noticeable.

She recalled Kara who looked perfect at all times and embedded her perfection into everything she did. Thinking about it makes her feel jealous and guilty because she knew Kara didn't side with the Sleeper on purpose, but still had to pay the price for her actions.

Aru sighed and took off to the washroom to change her clothes. She redid her hair and washed her face so that she didn't look terrible.

"Mom, I'm going to Aiden's!" called Aru.

"Are Brynne and Mini going to be there?" asked Krithika from her study.

"Yeah," said Aru, grabbing her phone.

"Sure. Love you, beti!"

"Love you too mom," said Aru, closing the door behind her.

She exited the apartment, and descended into the Museum. The museum never kept anything from her, and she never kept anything from it. The close bond she shared with the halls and figures of the museum made it hard to leave sometimes.

Aru stepped out of the museum, the calm March air hitting her face. She looked at the house across the street and sighed. Aru picked up her pace, walking down the stone steps, looking both ways before crossing the street to Aiden's house.

Malini's white Toyota Prius was parked in the house's driveway, signalling that she was probably home too.

Aru rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to open the door.

About 32 seconds later, someone opened the door. Well, not someone. Aiden opened the door and as always, looked perfect.

She heard him take a deep breath. "Come in," he said. "It's cold out."

Aru wordlessly stepped inside the house, taking off her shoes at the shoe rack.

The entrance of the Acharya household wasn't necessarily secluded. On the right was the dining room where Malini was sitting, talking to the twins' parents. The adults noticed them of course, sending slight smiles and hi's their way. On the left was the den where Brynne, Mini, Nikita, Sheela, Rudy and Hira were sitting.

"STOP STEALING MY RAILROADS!" yelled Brynne.

"Sorry not sorry," said Nikita.

"Come join us Aru!" exclaimed Mini, looking their way.

Aru pursed her lips. She's never felt this anxiety with them before.

"You okay, Shah?" asked Aiden.

Aru internally screamed. They hadn't properly talked after the war, and there was just this weird tension every time and Aru was about to lose it.

She felt the rant coming in before-

"I'm fine." Aru said automatically.

That was not expected.